Vladimir Krassnov, posing as Putin [in Russian]: 'Hello Sir Elton. I was told that you wanted to discuss some important issues of Russian life.'

Elton: 'That is incredible. I am a musician and a philanthropic person and a humanitarian. I’m not a politician, but I would love to sit down with president and discuss things face to face because I think we can solve many issues .'

Another extract revealed:

Putin: 'Recently you visited Ukraine and had a conversation with Mr Poroshenko and that was a political meeting.'

Elton: 'No it was not a political thing. I was just asking him to embrace the LGBT population in Ukraine because they can help boost the economy in Ukraine.

'My position in life is that people who are gay should be included in all walks of life and be given basic freedom. I love Russia, it’s been part of my life since 1979 and I just want to make the situation better if I can.'

Speaking to Russian site MSK, Stolyarov boasted: 'We think that Putin is unlikely to want at least in the near future to meet with him and to call, but it turned out that Elton John is waiting for that call, so immediately believed in the reality of a conversation with the people that we represent.

'He said, "Thank you. You made my day. This day, and the conversation was the most wonderful and beautiful in my life".'

Sir Elton certainly seems to have been delighted. In an Instagram post which included a close-up of the president's face, the pop star wrote: 'Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today.

'I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.'

Sir Elton has accused Putin of saying 'stupid things', such as when he warned gay people travelling to the Winter Olympics to 'leave the children in peace'.

Russia passed a law banning homosexual 'propaganda' among children in June 2013, sparking an international outcry.

The country has also banned same-sex marriage and opposes support for equal rights for homosexuals.

Sir Elton said Mr Putin's attitude to gay people was 'isolating and prejudiced' and 'ridiculous'.

Speaking to the BBC, he added: 'I would like to meet (Mr Putin). It's probably pie in the sky ... He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.'

Sir Elton made the remarks after speaking at a conference in neighbouring Ukraine, where he lobbied president Petro Poroshenko over gay rights on Saturday.

Sir Elton, who has two sons with husband David Furnish (left), has been outspoken on the issue of gay rights

In Ukraine, Sir Elton urged the country to stop repressing its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Speaking to delegates at the annual Yalta European Strategy forum in Kiev, the singer-songwriter said Ukraine had a moral duty to become more tolerant and inclusive.

His comments came after 10 people were injured at Kiev's Gay Pride march in a confrontation between police and ultra-nationalist demonstrators, who came to break up the event.

Sir Elton said: 'I tell you with great sadness that right here, in this very city earlier this summer, a simple and modest gay pride parade had to be organised at a secret location to try and prevent hooligans disrupting it and committing violence against the celebrants.

'The march lasted, in all, 10 minutes, the fighting lasted over an hour… So I tell you soberly, we have a long way to go.'

The musician has been outspoken on the issue of gay rights. Earlier this year, he temporarily boycotted Dolce and Gabbana after the fashion designers called children conceived by IVF 'synthetic'.

He has two sons, Zachary, four, and Elijah, two, with his husband, David Furnish.